Delhi's Diva comes to Mumbai

Starting today, chef Ritu Dalmia’s popular Delhi-based restaurant, Diva, will run a three-day pop-up kitchen in the city for Italian food lovers

The risottos from Diva, chef and author Ritu Dalmia’s restaurant in Delhi, are much sought after. If you’ve been lucky to sample the dishes at the restaurant and have been craving for more, life just got easier. Diva will be holding a three-day pop-up kitchen in the city, starting today.

The Diva pop-up will have a seafood twist

“It’s a five-course menu with Diva classics. But, there will be a seafood element as its in Mumbai. The vegetarian favourites from Diva such as Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms have been chosen for the vegetarian meal,” informs Dalmia. Other dishes from the menu include antipasti such as Crab and Avocado Salad with Pomegranate Pearls and Bloody Mary Granite, Risotto Carbonara with Crispy Bacon and Crushed Black Pepper, and Pumpkin Crepes Gratinated with Sundried Tomatoes, Artichokes and Ricotta.

Vegetarians will have much to look forward to with the five-course meal

When quizzed about taking the pop-up route to make Diva’s entry in the city, she explains, “Opening a restaurant is a long-term commitment. I’m a control freak and I like to be at my restaurant. So, I can’t physically be in both the cities. Delhi too has been seeing a lot of pop-ups and when Nachiket (Shetye from Cellar Door, the organising team) approached me, I thought why not? Delhi has great foodies, so this pop-up will be good to know how Mumbai’s food lovers stand up to the competition.”

Ritu Dalmia

Cellar plans to bring not just restaurants but also chefs to the city for exclusive pop-ups. Mangal Dalal, director of Cellar Door Hospitality informs us, “Not everyone can travel to different cities just to sample good food. So, our idea is to showcase talent right here. Also pop-ups in the food sector have not really been explored much in India.”

Next, they plan to bring down the chef from Resort Castadiva at Lake Como in Italy in February.